The Tenth Circle

Been kinda quiet here. Mostly, I'm dealing with a book that just isn't working (and is due August 1st, so I really need to figure out what's wrong so I have time to rewrite), and this news, and some other stuff that's being hampered by that news.

And honestly, I'm a little grumpy about being a small fish at the moment. I know folk are busy, and I know there are others who are WAY more important than I am, but I'd like an email back at least, y'know? A phone call? Something?

*sulks*

Tasmin21 said:

Been kinda quiet here. Mostly, I'm dealing with a book that just isn't working (and is due August 1st, so I really need to figure out what's wrong so I have time to rewrite), and this news, and some other stuff that's being hampered by that news.

And honestly, I'm a little grumpy about being a small fish at the moment. I know folk are busy, and I know there are others who are WAY more important than I am, but I'd like an email back at least, y'know? A phone call? Something?

*sulks*

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I'm having one of those "small fish" days, too. Should I pour some margaritas?

Can I have a brightly colored paper umbrella in mine?

Tas, have another hug.

Chaos, not sure if this will cheer you up, but I went into the Annapolis B&N a couple of weekends ago for a copy of 3DTD and guess what? Two copies, one signed. So I bought the unsigned copy because I knew they couldn't ever return the signed one to the pubs (not that they'd ever have call to)


Got my edits today. Am a little scared. They're fantastic notes--I just don't want to blow it.

Hugs to Tas and RC!

I sent off my final, polished-until-it-shines version of my manuscript to the editor on Tuesday night, so unless he has any changes for me (which it sounded like he didn't, last time we spoke), that's the one the world will read.

Right, back to working out what my villains are really up to...

Tas - you can have any color umbrella you want.

rosie - That is pretty cool. I remember being out at that store in February. I hope that means they sold the other signed copies. *grin* And edits can be daunting, but also a lot of fun.

Right now, I'm struggling to turn this YA into something editors might actually want to buy. *gives manuscript the evil eye*

ChaosTitan said:

rosie - That is pretty cool. I remember being out at that store in February. I hope that means they sold the other signed copies. *grin* And edits can be daunting, but also a lot of fun.

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I think they must have sold the other signed ones. I only saw one *grins back*

Ok, not to be a downer, but just for my own personal clarification...

I've heard several people say recently that signed books can't be returned to the publisher. But if they're MMPBs, don't the bookstores only send back the covers anyway? So it wouldn't matter if they were signed, right? And I'm pretty sure that I've heard people say that they HAVE seen signed books in publisher returns, too.

Am I crazy? Did I invent that stuff?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I have no idea if signed HC's and trades can be returned or not. But I don't think being signed makes a difference for MMP's, because as you say, only the cover is returned.

If it is true, that's a big fat booo.

Copy edits for Dreg City 4 are on their way back. Now I'm waiting on Trance copy edits.

Meanwhile, the release date for Another Kind of Dead was pushed back a week. I can definitely say that every book of mine so far has been changed from it's original release date. Yay for consistency?

I've had 3 out of 4 changed myself. It's definitely...interesting.

Hi Tenth Circle. I'm new. It's Friday, the sun is out and I've written 2000 words today, so I'm opening the wine and posting here--my first serious introduction to AW. (I did my intro and bio in New Members so the history is there.)

I'm in Hell, but not really because I do have an agent and I do have a 2-book contract .... Or at least I think I do. I signed and returned in Feb and I've yet to receive my copy. Agent (who is a Brit) is not amused. I got the offer with this very reputable, largish Canadian publisher in nov 2010. Ecstatic, of course. And freaking relieved thinking the advance would keep me alive through book 3.

Foolish writer. Foolish, foolish writer. I'm not sure any longer what writers are supposed to live on. They keep telling us "don't do it for the money" but surely, somebody somewhere is making money from books.

As of this writing, no advance. But I think what freaks the Agent out more is there's been no editorial letter.

The first book was previously published and doesn't require much work but the second ran into trouble when it was on sub. Agent thinks she can sell it after edits are received from contracted publisher. Response was good, some editors expressed interest in edited version. I should mention the publisher has Canadian English rights only, thank Agent. UK, US et al are still available.

This is my second "challenging" publishing experience. I'm beginning to think publishers don't really exist. Elves are printing manuscripts and turning them into books but that's where the chain of command ends.

Proactively, I emailed my revised draft of the 2nd novel and received a thank you. I asked about contract. Agent has asked about contract. Literary lawyer has asked about contract. Still no contract.

I doubt there's much anyone can say to help. Contract will come. Eventually. I think there's some kind of law...

But this is the Tenth Circle of Hell and it's the only place on the planet that I can tell this stuff to so I've come here on Friday with my bottle of wine to tell you all. Other writers don't want to hear about it. A crit buddy of mine said "Send me your problem".

No fewer than 3 people have approached me since reading about my book deal to say they've decided to write a book and will I introduce them to my agent? They'd like to get started right away.

It's still funny, right? I mean, it never stops being funny. God, if it weren't for Rejection and Dejection, I'd have lost my mind years ago.

But you signed the contract, right?

I have heard of many many lengthy contract negotiations -- 7, 8 months doesn't seem to be unusual -- but this is a new one. Doesn't it say in the contract when they owe you the first installment of the advance? I'm assuming upon signing, and there's usually some kind of contractual deadline.

How bizarre.

I don't know what to think about the way this business works, sometimes...

Hi callalily,

Can I say this is like getting a hug from a superstar? I'm feeling a little lightheaded right now....

The publisher probably doesn't have a thread in Backgrounds etc. I didn't need to check regardless because this is a very big Canadian independent, meaning she is the Corp and she's done brilliantly for years and years. One of the reasons I was so happy to land her--the pub isn't prey to corporate shuffle.

They have award winning authors, my deal was posted in PM--all the good stuff. I'm starting to think I have a sign on my back.

but thank you, Callalily. (I know where that comes from BTW: "The calla lilies are in bloom again." Stage Door. Katherine Hepburn. Great film.)

I think I joined AW just to get the hugs.

Hi Other Lisa,

Again...like talking to a superstar. I read the first chapter of RPT and my hair stood up on the back of my neck. If you knew me better, you'd know, ya know?

(amazing writer. and in the 1st tense, 1st person POV. as hard as it gets. kids-don't-try-this-at-home hard.)

Yes, I signed the contract. I contacted the literary lawyer because he knows the company, has an ear to the ground and could tell me if they were going out of business or whatever.

He didn't have any negative info ("They're going belly up!") but he didn't like how long it was taking either.

Another author on their list said I'm not the only one waiting for money. Which would be okay if I had some feedback on the books.

Actually, I lie. I don't think it's okay to keep a writer, (or a plumber, mechanic, contractor) waiting for money. It was a very stressful winter as a result and unnecessarily so.

(Me, trying to be civilized. Friday and the wine is gone...sadly.)

My first time in this thread, hey y'all! *waves*

MercyMe, that sucks big time. I'm new to this game myself, but I can't even imagine how hard it can be to wait so long for something so important. I hope it all works out for you soon.

I love your blog. I just clicked on it, read the first post, and laughed. I agree with all of it. There's crazy folks here on this forum. Lovely, so helpful, but crazy (in a good way!!)

OMG, an illusion shattered Callalily re: the calla lily reference. But still a superstar.

Other Lisa, there was no actual date given in the contract for the execution of said contract. It'll happen whenever they sign and send it back. So, if they don't want to pony up the advance (which is the only reason I can think of for the delay) they just take their time with the signing.

Annoying squared.

And does not endear them to me or the Agent on Book 3 which they have 1st option on but only for Canada but Agent and I sense we are screwed. Canada is the black hole for rights. We're a US/UK sandwich meat.

Do I sound okay? Can you tell I've had wine?

Aw shucks, she said, blushing. Or maybe, "she says." Snerk!

I've heard way too many horror stories about writers having to wait way too long to get paid. A lot of times more because the contract negotiations take so long but I've also heard problems with payments (especially royalties), period. And it's really not right. In some cases it seems to happen because a publisher is suddenly doing better and doesn't have the administrative resources to get things done in a timely way.

(I really want to say something nice about my publisher here, because they are always on time and for contract negotiations, also very quick and efficient. So I know it can be done, I have first-hand evidence!)

I'm trying to remember; sometimes they have a clause that if the contract isn't executed by "X" date that it's null and void (though I was also told not to take that one too seriously -- I had an issue where a contract got lost somewhere in the mail in NYC).

Sheesh. Yeah, that's beyond annoying. Does your agent have a next step in mind?

My message to soopykun got sucked up into Internet Hell. We have a bit of a storm going on here...

soop! I'm from BC! which was the crux of my message followed by congratulations and message of how proud I was of your accomplishment!! thanks for the good vibes....I'm confident your experience isn't going to be like mine.

I don't know what the agent has in mind to do next. I think Lily's idea of a registered letter or such is good. I said that in future contracts I want a date given for contract execution.

I've sent Agent the 1st 80 pages of book 3 (which was no picnic) and is shite but at this point shite is all I got until book 1 and 2 are paid for. She has foreign interest in book 1 and 3. No one likes book 2 because the MC is a 56 yr old female. ("Who'd read her?" Um...me?)

(I lied again. I had an epiphany a few weeks ago in which I decided publishers are not the boss of me and I'll write what I want for as long as I want. so book 3 is improving...but the Agent has shite right now, poor love.)

I don't worry about her dumping me. I don't worry about anything anymore. This is the glory of being a writer. I feel sorry for people who lead lesser lives.

OK, now I'm really logging off. Thank you all, so much. Writers really are the most generous people.